Freshman running back Jarvion Franklin led the way with 76 yards on 15 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Daniel Braverman had a game-high 100 yards receiving on eight receptions and quarterback Zach Terrell finished 18-for-32 for 212 yards.

Senior safety Justin Currie led all tacklers with 13, while Trevor Ishmael had 11 and Grant DePalma had 10. Ishmael led the Broncos with 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Bronco defense forced two turnovers, both interceptions, on the day, but WMU’s offense was outgained 486-231. Virginia Tech held a 308-19 advantage in rushing yardage.

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Western Michigan surrendered 11 points in the first four minutes of the game. After a fumble was returned for a touchdown on the opening kickoff, a bad snap on a punt results in a safety. The WMU defense then forced a field goal in the red zone on the ensuing Hokies possession. WMU responded shortly after Ronald Zamort stepped in front of a Michael Brewer pass and returned it 39 yards to the Hokie three-yard line. Franklin did the rest, making it into the end zone on his third try for his 10th rushing touchdown of the season. The Broncos turned another turnover into more points near the end of the second quarter. Donald Celiscar snatched his first interception of the season in the end zone and Terrell drove the Broncos down the field to set up a 36-yard field goal by Andrew Haldeman to cut the lead to 18-10. The Hokies pushed the lead to 32-10 with a pair of third quarter TDs. Brewer hit Isaiah Ford from seven yards out to cap off an 11-play 80-yard drive. After a WMU punt, VaTech went 68 yards in nine plays, with Shai McKenzie finishing the trip with a four yard run. Western Michigan cut the lead to 32-17 in the fourth quarter after Franklin took it in from one-yard out on an eight-play, 84-yard drive. Terrell found Braverman on third and five for 26 yards to keep the drive rolling. The Hokies pitched in with two personal foul calls. Joe Slye added his second field of the game with 3:50 remaining in the quarter to set the final score at 35-17. The Broncos open up Mid-American Conference play next Saturday, hosting MAC West rival Toldeo at 7 p.m. (Courtesy of WMU Athletics/MRO Staff Edit)

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Mike Smith saw his first MAC footb﻿a﻿ll action as a nine-year-old while hanging onto the flagpole of a nearby baseball stadium. The view got better after he discovered he could get in free at halftime. Decades later, he can usually be found either on press row or along the sidelines.Mike has won awards for both his stories and pictures during his time in journalism. Combining his own skills with those of other writers and photographers, along with conference and school resources, he constantly works to provide an enjoyable MAC product.

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